We’ve been enjoying some February sunshine here in California. But even if you’re in a blizzard, this Orange Creamsicle cocktail will give you a little taste of summer (with seasonal fruit). Savvy Housekeeping and I whipped up this cocktail that tastes like a light and sophisticated alcoholic Creamsicle. If only the ice cream man carried these.

Squeeze the orange juice. Combine juice, vodka, simple syrup, and vanilla in a cocktail shaker. Add ice. Add cream. Close and shake thoroughly. Strain into a glass and top with sparkling water to taste.

Around the corner from Savvy Housekeeping HQ, there were a bunch of free persimmons from a neighbor’s tree. When life gave us persimmons, we made persimmon margaritas! They’re tasty and a lot of fun (and in our case practically free).

We used Hachiya persimmons, which have to be totally soft and mushy to taste good at all. Fuyu persimmons are more common at the store and would also work great. Persimmon puree could also be used in cakes, breads and other cocktails. Get to it, persimmon style!

It’s raining and fall coziness is in full effect. So Savvy Housekeeping and I made the perfect seasonal twist on the Hot Toddy—the Gingerbread Toddy. Made with a delicious gingerbread syrup, this warming cocktail tastes like real gingerbread. The syrup would also be good in other drinks like a Gingerbread Latte.

I’m just going to say it: Meyer lemons are better than other kinds of lemons. (Suck it, Eureka lemons!) They’re an ideal cocktail lemon, and this time of year they’re plentiful. Meyer lemon cocktails are where it’s at, man. Here are some to try:

The Honey Bee’s Knees ~ Lavender and lemons are a delicious combo. Add gin, and you have a lovely cocktail for this lovely almost-springtime.

Meyer Lemon Fig ~ Fig is the name of the drink—there are no figs in the recipe. Just whiskey, ginger, vanilla simple syrup and meyer lemon, topped off with a little seltzer. Very refreshing.